Stockton Town’s hopes of lifting the Durham Challenge Cup for the first time were dashed by holders Shildon.
Second half goals from Leighton Harris and Billy Greulich-Smith helped the Railwaymen retain the title for the second time this century.
The Anchors had overcome Farringdon Detached, Hebburn Town, Dunston and Horden CW to reach the final for the first time. It was originally scheduled to be played at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light but a late change in circumstances meant it was moved to Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park.
Despite the much smaller and less prestigious venue. The game still had a final atmosphere to it. The Anchors fans turned out in their numbers and made up the majority of the 1,523 strong crowd.
Michael Dunwell named an unchanged side to face a Shildon side which was unbeaten since November and had just been pipped to the Northern League title by Guisborough Town. Shildon had a relatively route on course to the final as they had yet to face a side from above Northern League Division Two.
The game began in tentative fashion with neither team able to gain a foothold. The two best chances fell to Josh Scott who was denied by Kieran Hunter on both occasions.
The first time he was played in by Jake Petitjean’s flick, his first effort was blocked and then the rebound was stopped by Hunter.
The second time he was found in yards of space and the crowd was expecting the flag to show but it stayed down. Scott was unable to find his composure as he sent two tame efforts which were kept out by Hunter.
Hunter was then made to keep sharp by a drive from Stephen Thompson.
Half Time: Shildon 0-0 Stockton Town
Early in the second half, Stockton were forced into a change as Jake Petitjean came off with an injury and he was replaced by Michael Sweet.
Both sides exchanged chances. Shildon forced Oliver Lloyd into his first save of the evening, and Sweet dragged an effort wide from the right-wing.
With just over twenty minutes remaining, Shildon found the opener when Harris was alive to tuck in the rebound after Lloyd had parried Greulich-Smith’s header from Alfie Marriott’s cross.
Stockton looked for a response but Scott’s luckless night in front of goal continued as he had a strike blocked by the stubborn Shildon defence.
Michael Dunwell was trying his upmost to find a route back into the game for his side as sent on attackers in Amar Purewal and later Jaedon Faulkner
Although it was Shildon who could have went further ahead. Luke Spalding burst past the defence but blazed his effort over when he went one-on-one with Lloyd.
Sweet had another opportunity but again the Shildon defence was there to block.
At the other end, Lloyd got the better of Greulich-Smith in another one-on-one.
Greulich-Smith would have the last laugh though when the ball came to him and he finished to score for a fourth time in a Durham Challenge Cup Final. Despite the linesman’s original offside flag, a consultation from the referee saw the goal rewarded.
Full-Time: Shildon 2-0 Stockton Town.
A crushing defeat for the Anchors who continue to wait for their first cup win since the Wearside League days. The hard work continues Saturday with the visit of Lancaster for a crunch game in the battle for the final Play-Off place.
